One of our terrific National Mom’s Nite Out sponsors -Simon Malls- has put together an event in several malls across the country to celebrate International Friendship Day. And what better way to celebrate than to bring in the international flair of “Rio”. See the information below, and find a Simon Mall near you!

As the summer heats up, spread your wings and celebrate International Friendship Day with the funniest birds in town! Together, Simon Property Group, the largest real estate company in the U.S., and Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment are bringing the message of friendship to children across the country with fun-filled, interactive activities. This event is designed to teach the importance of friendship and understanding just like Blu, Jewel, Rafael, Luiz and the rest of the gang from Rio which comes to Blu-ray and DVD on August 2nd.

“We’re delighted to host this event bringing children together in the spirit of International Friendship Day,” said Shelly Drapkin, vice president of business development for Simon Brand Ventures. “In today’s world where bullying is a major concern of both parents and children we want to promote the importance of friendship.”

Attendees will be invited to participate in a number of friendship activities including: making a friendship bracelet for their BFF, taking a friendship pledge to promise to be kind, share and help others and receive a Friendship Day certificate. They will also be given Friendship Day postcards to write a letter of friendship to the city of Rio along with other fun crafts and coloring activities.

Rio is the story of Blu, a domesticated Spix Macaw living thousands of miles away from his homeland, Brazil. When his human owner Linda discovers that he is the last male of his kind, they head south to Rio de Janeiro to meet the only other female. But it’s far from love at first sight between the socially-awkward, flight-challenged Blu and the fiercely independent, high-flying female, Jewel. Shortly after Blu’s arrival, the two rare birds are captured by greedy animal smugglers and find themselves lost in the Brazilian rainforest. Unexpectedly thrown together, they embark on a hilarious and clumsy adventure where they learn about friendship, love, courage and spreading one’s wings to fly.

Participating properties include:

Brea Mall

Los Angeles, CA

July 30

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Grapevine Mills

Dallas, TX

July 30

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Ingram Park Mall

San Antonio, TX

July 30

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Katy Mills

Houston, TX

July 30

1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Mall of Georgia

Atlanta, GA

July 30

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Ocean County Mall

Toms River, NJ

July 30

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Ontario Mills

Los Angeles, CA

July 30

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Potomac Mills

Washington, DC

July 30

12 p.m. – 2 p.m.

Rockaway Townsquare

Rockaway, NJ

July 30

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Tacoma Mall

Tacoma, WA

July 30

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Town Center at Cobb

Kennesaw, GA

July 30

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Tyrone Square

Tampa, FL

July 30

2 p.m. – 4 p.m.

Castleton Square Mall

Indianapolis, IN

August 6

1 p.m. – 3 p.m.

Concord Mills

Charlotte, NC

August 6

11 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Del Amo Fashion Center

Los Angeles, CA

August 6

10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

About International Day of Friendship

The United Nations General Assembly has designated July 30th as the International Day of Friendship in an effort to strengthen ties among countries around the world. The resolution creating the International Day of Friendship was adopted unanimously by the General Assembly in May in recognition of the fact that friendship can contribute to the efforts of the international community to promote dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.

About Simon Brand Ventures

Simon Brand Ventures (SBV), Simon’s business-to-consumer arm, has pioneered the transformation of shopping centers into a medium where consumer brands can build relationships with Simon shoppers. SBV has engaged in a number of consumer business initiatives designed to support our shoppers, our tenants, and our strategic marketing relationships including the American Express®/Simon Giftcard; events at signature Simon properties such as Simon Fashion Now™; the launch of Simon platform programs such as Simon Kidgits Club®, Simon GamePlay, and Simon dTour Live®; a national media delivery channel including static, digital, and experiential marketing and advertising vehicles; and multiple national and local marketing alliances with American Express, Coca-Cola, Ticketmaster, and U.S. Bank among others.

About Simon Property Group

Simon Property Group, Inc. is an S&P 500 company and the largest real estate company in the U.S. The Company currently owns or has an interest in 392 retail real estate properties comprising 263 million square feet of gross leasable area in North America, Europe and Asia. Simon Property Group is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and employs more than 5,000 people worldwide. The Company’s common stock is publicly traded on the NYSE under the symbol SPG. For further information, visit the Simon Property Group website at www.simon.com.

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment

Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment, LLC (TCFHE) is a recognized global industry leader and a subsidiary of Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, a News Corporation company. Representing 75 years of innovative and award-winning filmmaking from Twentieth Century Fox, TCFHE is the worldwide marketing, sales and distribution company for all Fox film and television programming, acquisitions and original productions on DVD, Blu-ray Disc Digital Copy, Video On Demand and Digital Download. The company also releases all products globally for MGM Home Entertainment. Each year TCFHE introduces hundreds of new and newly enhanced products, which it services to retail outlets from mass merchants and warehouse clubs to specialty stores and e-commerce throughout the world.